Prosecutors say Walters and the others were involved in schemes that racked up $1-2 million in kickbacks and bribes connected to Department projects in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.

While at HPD, prosecutors say Walters oversaw numerous programs that were designed to enable private property managers, developers and non-profits to rehabilitate buildings to provide affordable housing.

Walters allegedly accepted some $600,000 in bribes since 2002 from general contractors and real estate developers in exchange for awarding them contracts.

The FBI searched Walters’ home in Harlem this morning, leaving with at least one computer. They also searched his office located two blocks from City Hall.

The details of the indictment read like something out of a seedy pulp novel. Prosecutors allege Walters would hand a general contractor a slip of paper with a number on it – typically “250,” signifying his desire for a $250,000 payoff. Prosecutors say the general contractor would pay Walters off in cash hidden in overnight mail envelopes, golf ball boxes, and even coffee cups.

“The City’s Department of Investigation has uncovered very serious allegations of misconduct that led to the arrest of Assistant Commissioner for New Construction Wendell Walters. He has been an employee here since 1998 and is now suspended without pay. In addition we have disqualified the developers and contractors named in the course of the investigation and are in the process of ascertaining whether, in fact, any of them are currently active with respect to HPD programs.”

Wambua’s statement went on to say “There is no room for corruption or bribe seeking in government and these circumstances pain me deeply on a number of levels. We are here to serve the people, not to take advantage of our positions for personal profit. I want to make it clear that I do not view the actions of this individual as representative of the great work the agency does, day-to-day, in carrying out the nation’s largest municipal affordable housing plan and ensuring that New Yorkers live in safe and quality housing no matter what their income.”

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